Chapter 74: The Ancient Ruin

Chapter 74: The Ancient Ruin

The meeting hall fell silent after General Ashford’s final words.

No one spoke for several seconds. The tension that had formed between the four factions still lingered in the air, sharp enough to be felt.

General Ashford reached toward the center of the circular table.

"Before we begin discussing the expedition, I want everyone to see exactly what we’re dealing with."

He pressed his palm against the table.

A faint white glow spread beneath his hand.

Then—

VRMMMM!

Lines of light emerged from the table’s surface, forming a complex circular pattern. Several smaller runes appeared around the edges, rotating slowly as Qi flowed through them.

Nyren’s attention sharpened.

An Array.

But unlike the simple formations she had seen before, this one was incredibly detailed. Multiple layers of inscriptions overlapped one another, creating a three-dimensional structure above the table.

General Ashford withdrew his hand.

"Activate the Holographic Array."

The runes flashed.

WHOOSH!

A towering image suddenly appeared above the table.

The projection showed a vast stretch of ruined land surrounded by a dark, crimson sky. Mountains of broken stone rose in the distance, while enormous cracks split the ground in every direction.

At the center of the image stood a massive black structure.

It resembled a city, but it was far larger than any city that had ever existed in Country B.

Towering pillars rose into the sky around it, each one covered in glowing inscriptions. Several broken bridges floated in midair, connected to structures that seemed to have been built by people far larger than humans.

At the very center of the ruins stood an enormous palace.

Its walls were black.

Its roof was silver.

And around it floated countless fragments of stone, weapons, and ancient platforms.

Even through the projection, the ruin radiated a heavy and oppressive presence.

The expressions of everyone in the room changed.

"This is the ruin that appeared two days ago," General Ashford said.

He waved his hand, and the image expanded.

The projection zoomed toward the outer perimeter.

A black mist surrounded the ruins, twisting like a living creature. Every few seconds, faint red lightning flashed through it.

"This is the first reason we classified it as a high-tier ruin," Ashford continued. "The structure didn’t simply appear on the surface. It tore through the dimensional layer surrounding our world and anchored itself to the land."

Estelle Argon leaned forward slightly.

"You’re saying it came from another dimension?"

"Possibly," General Ashford replied. "Our researchers haven’t been able to determine its origin."

The image shifted again.

Several enormous cracks appeared around the ruin.

"These cracks are not ordinary damage. They are unstable spatial rifts. Anyone who approaches them without sufficient spatial resistance will either be torn apart or pulled into an unknown location."

Lemo Drackar scoffed.

"Spatial rifts are dangerous, but that doesn’t automatically make the ruin high-tier."

General Ashford glanced at him.

"The team we sent to investigate never returned."

Lemo’s expression stiffened.

"Who did you send?"

"Three Level 5 cultivators, two Level 6 cultivators, and a Level 7 soldier."

The entire room grew quiet.

Even Lemo’s expression became serious.

General Ashford continued.

"We lost contact with them less than four minutes after they crossed the outer boundary. Their life signatures disappeared at the same time."

The projection changed again.

This time, it showed a group of soldiers approaching the ruin.

A dark ripple suddenly spread across the screen.

The soldiers vanished.

The image went black.

"The formation swallowed them," Ashford said. "No explosion. No battle. They simply disappeared."

Nyren’s fingers tightened around the armrest of her chair.

"What about the people monitoring them?" she asked.

"They suffered mental backlash from observing the ruin through the surveillance equipment. Two are still unconscious."

The projection shifted once more.

The black palace at the center of the ruin enlarged until it filled the room.

"According to the information we gathered before losing contact, the outer ruins contain inscriptions that are at least several thousand years old. Some of them are written in a language none of our researchers recognize."

General Ashford’s voice became heavier.

"However, one symbol appears repeatedly."

A strange image appeared above the table. It resembled a circle surrounded by four ancient beasts.

General Ashford continued.

"The symbol is connected to every defensive formation around the ruin. We believe it represents the faction or civilization that created the structure."

Roan Blackwood studied the image carefully.

"And the palace?"

"We don’t know what’s inside."

Lemo leaned back in his chair.

"Then this meeting is simple. The Heavenly Thunder Sect will take control of the expedition."

A cold silence followed.

Estelle’s expression changed.

"Take control?"

Lemo glanced at her.

"The ruin is located within territory controlled by the Drackar stronghold. Naturally, the resources belong to us."

Roan gave a quiet laugh.

"Territory? You mean the land your family occupied after the apocalypse began?"

Lemo’s face darkened.

"The ruin appeared within our territory."

"It appeared in Country B," Roan replied. "Not inside your backyard."

Lemo’s fingers tapped against the table.

"The Heavenly Thunder Sect discovered the ruin first. We were also the first to establish a defensive perimeter around it."

"And failed to retrieve the expedition team you sent," Estelle added calmly.

The air instantly became heavier.

Lemo’s eyes narrowed.

"Are you implying that my people are incompetent?"

"I’m stating that your first expedition disappeared," Estelle replied. "If you wish to dispute that fact, we can discuss it after you explain why your strongest team failed to cross the outer boundary."

A faint breeze moved through the room.

The young woman standing behind Estelle smiled faintly.

Lemo noticed and his expression became uglier.

"This isn’t a matter of mockery," he said. "The Drackar family has the strongest offensive power among the four factions. Purple Lightning is the most effective ability against unknown creatures and defensive formations."

"Then why are you demanding ownership before we even understand the danger?" Roan asked.

"Because whoever controls the ruin controls the resources inside it."

"That’s exactly why none of us will allow you to claim it alone," General Ashford said.

Lemo turned toward him.

"This is a military meeting, General. Don’t confuse your position with authority over the sects."

General Ashford’s gaze hardened.

"And don’t confuse your family’s power with ownership of the entire country."

A faint pressure spread through the hall.

Lemo’s aura rose in response, sparks of silver lightning flickering around his sleeves.

The soldiers standing near the doors immediately stepped back.

Jules smiled at the sight.

"Father, we don’t need to argue with them. The strength of the Heavenly Thunder Sect is enough to take the ruin by force."

Adrian’s eyes narrowed.

"You can try."

Jules looked toward him.

"Do you think your Metal Manipulation can stop my lightning?"

"I’m more interested in finding out whether your mouth can survive one sword strike."

"Enough!"​